[Raptor464]

Its also going to be in the Bold line of devices. BlackBerry 9700a to be exact

[jsconyers]

That's a terrible name.

It's only going to confuse users trying to upgrade their OS. They'll download the 9700 OS not knowing they need the 9700a and so on. And I don't even want to think of them coming here for answer, being confused and confusing the rest of us with their confusion. I am already confused just thinking about it

[Noodle22]

It's bad enough with all the different curves, and the fact that half the users don't know the difference between them, or what one they have.

9700a Boo on the marketing team.

[Raptor464]

I'm sorry to say...but the 9700a does exist. Just like the 9650, 8910, and 9100.

[ArgonNJ]

Put this device in the same failed design category as the flip BB. How about giving us a Storm on any other network besides Verizon.

[Shaolin]

Going by the pictures, I hope the keyboard will be about the size between the Bold and the Curve. The phone kind of looks ugly, but then again the pics are not very detailed.

I'll wait for the specs and features before I decide any further if I should wait for it.

I don't see why didn't they make it a landscape slider? Wouldn't it make more sense because not everyone's hands are the same size? But I guess the if people can type on a Curve keyboard or a Bold keyboard, then it's really not that big of a deal. But then the layout comes into question since it'll probably be easier to read under landscape mode.

[Shaolin]

Some more pictures just showed up on BBleaks.. it says it lacks SurePress which I'm kind of disappointed about since I would love to see a Storm2/Bold hybrid kind of phone. The only problem with my Bold is the screen is too small, so if the specs turn out good for this rumored slider, I'll be looking forward to picking one up.

That of course, is under the assumption that RIM will get their act together and bring out the new browser, better OS, etc.

[BallHawk3]

I hate touchscreens. Their more of the novelty factor to me.

However, surepress is a GREAT idea. I love that about the storm. I've stated before, if all physical keyboards got destroyed in the universe, I would have no issues at all if they stuck me on the storm and surepress.

I'm very happy with my 9700. Would I need a slider BB? Never been into slider devices, I need quick and easy access to the keyboard, after all, that's why the blackberry has been that way, life on the go.

The slider touch lacking surepress is kind of disappointing, although I do feel it would satisfy a certain market. The portrait keyboard also makes sense, because blackberry has always focused on on ergonomics and ease of typing (really, are there any good landscape keyboards out there? They feel so unnatural. That screen real estate on the slider does look pretty nice though.

As for what is this phone going to be? Storm? Bold? Well, I think it should be it's own new line. The blackberry slide or something. To throw it in with the Bold?!? Maybe if they had a bold touch, which would be the bold with a touch screen (think treo-esque) I can agree with that, but to dilute the blackberry blood lines.

Each line has always meant and served a different purpose. They really need to stop throwing it all under one name.

[the-economist]

If you gonna have a phone almost double in thickness to accommodate a slider keyboard AT LEAST put it in landscape so maybe just maybe someone would actually want to type on it.

[J]

I'm starting to feel as though RIM needs to focus LESS on new models of actual phones but bust their tails on being able to provide a browser and app's that are more seamless & troublesome to go along with their already amazing services.


Seems as though most folks would prefer to see and hear this stuff being confirmed. Frankly, I don't see how it's so hard for the company to move their browser light years ahead by now.....in contrast to where it is now.

[ubizmo]

It seems to me that any phone that expands in some way--be it a slider, Sidekick swivel, or whatever--loses whatever sleekness it might have had and becomes somewhat awkward when opened up. The portrait orientation has the advantage of letting the BB use a keyboard that is "proven"--liked by many. It will allow those people who like one-handed operation to have it. For many purposes other than text entry, touch screens are great.

But it will also be very important for the hardware to feel solid and not...rattly!

Ubizmo

[Elito]

As much as I would like to see RIM come out with a slider blackberry, I don't think this is a product from RIM. the pictures i saw show something that looks obsolete and, I think, not eve RIM would design such a product after seeing all the beauties on the market. And I am wondering how those people got a blackberry model that is not even mentioned by RIM yet to sit on what looks like an old kitchen table and to appear like a used old phone? I don't know what this thing is but IT IS NOT A RIM BLACKBERRY SLIDER. This must be the third different picture that has been rumored to be the blackberry slider/storm 3. I'd rather wait for the official picture if ever there is one.

[TXLady]

Found more pics on Boy Genius that for some reason we didn't link to yet. These show a more close up view and also a picture of the closed phone next to an 8900 for comparison. I'm still thinking it looks pretty good.

More BlackBerry Slider images « Boy Genius Report

[Noodle22]

I have to say it's growing on me, not sure if I would get it though. I would probably rarely use the keyboard, or just for times I need to type quickly on the go.

[TXLady]

I really do want to see it live. I tried the Storm II and just did not like the keypad on it so maybe with the addition of the keyboard, I will like it. I did find during my brief affair with the Droid that I actually do like touch screen, just not the Storm's.

[skeevecr]

Originally Posted by Raptor464

I'm sorry to say...but the 9700a does exist. Just like the 9650, 8910, and 9100.

If you look at a lot of these leaks you would see that version numbers change before a device finally ships e.g. the bold 9700 originally leaked as the 9020, so the 9700a is probably just a temporary number until they decide on the final one.

[skeevecr]

Originally Posted by the-economist

If you gonna have a phone almost double in thickness to accommodate a slider keyboard AT LEAST put it in landscape so maybe just maybe someone would actually want to type on it.

Why would somebody be more likely to use a landscape one, with a vertical slider you have the obvious advantage that it is usable with both one or two hands whereas you can only use a landscape one with two hands.

[TXLady]

More leaked photos on BGR.
Yet another round of BlackBerry slider pics « Boy Genius Report

These photos show side views including one next to 8900 to gauge the thickness of the slider.

[ArgonNJ]

BGR is now saying this device is heading to Sprint first. They also said during testing it failed 4 out of 5 times. Sounds like another Storm 1 debacle waiting to happen. I would steer clear of this device in its first outing.

[TXLady]

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

BGR is now saying this device is heading to Sprint first. They also said during testing it failed 4 out of 5 times. Sounds like another Storm 1 debacle waiting to happen. I would steer clear of this device in its first outing.

Link to article: BlackBerry 9900/9930 slider hitting Sprint? « Boy Genius Report

Same article says that there will also be a GSM/HSPA version (compatible with AT&T and Rogers) and model numbers will be 9900 and 9930.